Oxford parking enforcers nab 860 violators

OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — In the first six weeks of beefed up parking enforcement around the Square in Oxford, more than 860 tickets have been issued to violators. About 60 are repeat offenders.

Parking Manager Greg Sisk tells the Oxford Eagle (http://bit.ly/bxMH7X) that his office has had no negative feedback since the stricter parking enforcement began Nov. 26.

“Everyone’s been very cordial,” he said.

Sisk says parking enforcers had found there are 50 to 60 open parking spaces in the city-owned lots off the Square during a two-hour period. That includes the city-owned lot near the water tower, which is a good distance from the Square.

“In the other lots, we have about 20-25 vacant spots,” he said. “But the students have been gone.”

Downtown Parking Advisory Commission chairman Jeff Triplette said the commission needs another month or so of data before looking into any possible changes to the time limit or shortening the enforcement hours.

Officials have said the first ticket is free and violators will get letters explaining the fines for future tickets.

The second offense is $10, then $25, then $50. However, those fines will go up $10 a month for each month the fine is left unpaid. After 90 days, for example, the $10 fine will become a $30 fine.

On the fifth ticket, a boot will be placed on the vehicle. It will cost $75 to remove the boot.

If a violator gets one ticket, but does not pay the fine after 90 days, the vehicle may be subject to booting as well.

Fines for loading zone violations will be $100 and for parking in handicapped parking will be a $200.

Standard Parking was hired to manage the new and updated parking laws.